SEMA Show—Open it to the Public - Countersteer

Increasingly, SEMA has become a launching pad for major automakers' concept cars.

If this year's SEMA Show (Specialty Equipment Manufacturers Association) is any indication of how the U.S. economy is faring, there are bright days ahead for working Americans. This show, held annually in Las Vegas, is, according to SEMA, the "premier automotive specialty products trade event in the world, drawing the industry's brightest minds and hottest products to one place, the Las Vegas Convention Center." Yes, it does sound like heaven for auto enthusiasts, but sadly it's not open to the general public.

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As I walked through the vast halls of the SEMA Show, it was difficult believing that everyone in attendance was an exhibitor, buyer or member of the media (the only ones allowed access to the show). This year, the show's attendance was up big time compared to last year; in all, about 132,000 people. The total number of exhibitors was up 18 percent, buyer registration went up by a whopping 54 percent and media registration increased by 74 percent. The last figure made me scratch my head, because I know there aren't 74 percent more automotive publications in the world...my guess is that anyone with a car website or blog received credentials, which brings me to my point: Why not just call the SEMA Show the Las Vegas International SEMA Auto Show and let everyone in?

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Lexus CT 200h

Once, not that long ago, the SEMA Show was reserved for strictly aftermarket tuners, accessory makers and other small businesses directly or indirectly related to the automotive market; however, recently it has attracted big-time car manufacturers such as Ford, GM and Toyota, to name just a few. And these car companies dominate the show floor with grand, elaborate booths that dwarf the cubicle-size spaces of small companies (though they all seem to coexist in harmony). Car manufacturers are increasingly using the SEMA stage to introduce new products and roll out their most exciting creations. There was no shortage of attention-grabbing examples in this year's show as we saw a slew of Chevrolet Camaro concept cars, the introduction of the Lexus GS F Sport and tuned Ford Focuses and Fiestas. Kia brought out six new concepts that wouldn't have looked out of place at a "real" auto show.

And let's not forget the cars created by tuning firms. These vehicles range from mild to the exorbitantly wild, and whether they make sense in the automotive marketplace is moot because for a show-goer like me, they provide entertainment and excite the imagination...and isn't that one of the primary reasons we go to auto shows in the first place?

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2012 Ford Focus by Capaldi Racing

But when I brought up the subject of opening the show to the public, Della Domingo, public relations director for SEMA, made it clear that this would not happen.

"The SEMA Show is a trade show, and there are many significant differences with other car shows. The essence behind the SEMA Show is that it serves as a platform for parts and accessory manufacturers to launch their new products and connect with buyers. While the SEMA Show includes major automakers, the vast majority of exhibitors are small businesses. The typical exhibiting company is run by an enthusiast who created a product out of his or her own need for a product. As small businesses, they have the ability to turn products around quickly and as enthusiasts, they have their fingers on the pulse of what's hot," she explained.

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Dodge Challenger SRT8 ACR

To me, a jaded veteran of about 50 or so auto shows around the world, the cars exhibited at the SEMA show are as exciting as those at most major auto salons. And when you're done taking in all the hot cars, there are plenty of "extracurricular" activities available in this town. While Las Vegas may not exactly represent the car-culture capital of the world, a SEMA-sponsored Las Vegas International Auto Show might attract a ton of people, in much the same way a title fight attracts fans from all over the world.

With the cool assortment of cars at this year's SEMA Show, it's a shame not to let the masses in. The only way to get into the show for now is to work for a magazine, create a small accessory business or start up an automotive blog site and hope you get enough hits to score media credentials.

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